Triumph over adversity

Everyone has their own reasons. I finally know mine.

I just watched 'The spirit of the marathon' and realized my reasons are very different from others. I love the whole process of preparing for a marathon. The days of preparation, missing all the running days, deviating from the plan, feeling guilty about it. I perform best under pressure and training for long distance runs can't be crunched into a short period of time. So for me, it's a whole other performing experience.

Also, it's reaching a new physical feat. I find endurance in the human body to be amazing. The sense of pushing my body to it's limit, and overcoming a hurdle, adds a new dimension to who I am.

I particularly enjoy the day before. My two big long distance runs so far were 'my' days. Coincidentally or otherwise, I did not have a cheering squad, and I usually get the feeling of going into war :) I was left with my own thoughts, and my sole company before the big runs. So far, my pursuit of running long distances has been for myself. One day, when I am comfortable enough, I will fund-raise.

Considering how much I am moderating my rice intake, I carb-load like mad the night before, and am undoubtedly a happy person by the end of it.

Commuting to the race venue, I feel a sense of pride, because not everyone is a long distance runner. I knew I wasn't one until recently. Having joined the class of novice runners, I am pumped on the day of the run and usually beat all my training records. The nag to beat personal records never ends!

Then there is the race course and the city you run in. My runs so far have been in different cities, and I want to keep it that way. Each run is a new experience and you see the city in a different light.

You, of course, carry that sense of pride of having run a half-marathon or a marathon all your life.

Despite not knowing anyone, there is sense of kinship that you feel with the crowd that you just ran with, bound by achieving a common goal. Much similar to participating in a protest for a cause.

Thanks to the very cold east coast winter and my wonderful work-schedule, I haven't had the time to do my oddball runs (10:30 pm runs) very comfortably. I resorted to a gym membership and I realized how much more I enjoyed running outdoors. I have been reading a lot about barefoot running as well. That is something I am yet to get comfortable with. There is a big runners world out there!

My biggest lesson through the past few months is that you cannot convince someone to care about their fitness. The most you can do is to inspire them. My inspiration really came from cheering a close friend at his first half-marathon, and seeing the broad spectrum of runners (from two-leg amputees to 65+ year olds).

I remember asking myself, if such a variety of people can triumph over this adversity, why can't I?

Isn't that what is life is about anyway!

Carpe Diem! :)